64 startups to battle it out for $50K at Venture Madness

Venture Madness, presented by Invest Southwest in partnership with Arizona Commerce Authority, announced it’s 64 startups from around the southwest who will compete head-to-head for a portion of the $50,000 prize.

How Venture Madness works: Think of it as the “Battle of the Brackets” where startups duel it out bracket-style for the top slot. After two online elimination rounds, 16 companies will advance to the live-demo rounds which will occur on March 5-7, 2014 before a panel of judges at Talking Stick Resort in Scottsdale.

Who made up the 64? Thirty-two (of 64) bracket spots will be awarded to past participants from the Arizona Innovation Challenge (AIC); the remaining 32 spots were filled through open enrollment.

Venture Madness remaining timeline:

February 3 – 14, 2014: First online elimination round with a 64 company bracket

February 17 – 24, 2014: Second online elimination round with a 32 company bracket

February 24, 2014: 16 companies to pitch live at the event are announced